Orbital sander with vertical handle

ABSTRACT

An orbital sander having a housing defining an axis. A motor and output with a sanding element are aligned on said axis. The housing includes a power source as well as an activating member to energize and de-energize the sander. A handle is spaced from the housing and is substantially parallel to the axis. Further, additional gripping members may be positioned on the housing to provide multiple gripping surfaces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sanders and, more particularly, to random orbital sanders including a spaced vertical handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Orbital sanders generally include a vertically orientated housing having a handle at an axial end of the housing. Thus, the handle is positioned above the orbital sanding element so that a workman applies force directly onto the orbital sanding element. These handles have various types of designs in order to accommodate the workman's hand. Also, orbital sanders exist which include handles which extend from the housing substantially perpendicular to the orbital sander housing. These types of handles are in a horizontal orientation. Thus, during use, for a significant period of time, vibration can cause the user's hand to become fatigue. Accordingly, it is desirable to have an orbital sander which enables the user various gripping orientations to overcome the shortcoming of the prior art.

The present invention provides the art with a orbital sander that provides multiple gripping positions. The orbital sander provides the user with a gripping surface spaced from the housing and substantially parallel to the housing. Also, the present invention provides the user with a gripping portion which surrounds the housing to provide a 360 degree handle for various orientations of the orbital sander. Also, the present invention provides the user with a palm grip having a gel portion to reduce vibration in the tool. The present invention also enables the user to utilize both hands at various positions on the sander during operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, an orbital sander comprises a housing with an overall axial orientation. A motor is positioned within the housing. An output is coupled with the motor to drive the orbital sanding element. A power source is coupled with the motor. An activation member is coupled with the motor and the power source. The activation member energizes and de-energizes the motor which, in turn, randomly rotates the output and sanding element. A handle is spaced from the housing. The handle has an overall vertical orientation. The housing ordinarily has a cylindrical portion and a truncated conical portion adjacent the cylindrical portion. A gripping member is positioned at the intersection of the cylindrical portion and a truncated conical portion. The gripping member surrounds a portion of the housing. The gripping member that surrounds the housing is formed from an elastomeric material providing comfort and feel for the user. Also, a gripping member maybe positioned on an end of the housing opposing the output. The gripping member may include a gel portion.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an orbital sander comprises a housing that has an overall axial orientation with two ends. A motor is positioned within the housing. An output, coupled with the motor, is positioned at one of the ends of the housing to drive a sanding element. A power source is coupled with the motor. An activation member is coupled with the motor and the power source to energize and de-energize the motor which, in turn, drives the output and the sanding element. A gripping member surrounds the housing. The gripping member is positioned between the ends of the housing. The gripping member is elastomeric to provide comfort and feel. The gripping member is continuous 360 degrees around the housing. The gripping member has an annular portion and an extending tail portion. The gripping member is positioned on a truncated conical portion of the housing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an orbital sander comprises a housing having an axial orientation with a pair of ends. A motor is positioned within the housing. An output, coupled with the motor, is positioned at one of the end to drive a sanding element. A power, source is coupled with the motor. An activation member is coupled with the motor and the power source to energize and de-energize the motor which, in turn, drives the output and the sanding element. A plurality of griping members are coupled with the housing. At least one gripping member is spaced from and positioned substantially parallel to the housing. The one gripping member is a handle. The others of the gripping members are on the housing. One of the gripping members surrounds a portion of the housing. One of the gripping members is positioned on the end of the housing opposing the output.

From the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and subjoined claims, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an orbital sander in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 2 a-2 e are side perspective views of FIG. 1 with hands shown in phantom for gripping the sander.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Turning to the figures, an orbital sander is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The orbital sander includes a housing 12, a motor 14 positioned within the housing, an output 16 driven by the motor, and a sanding element 18 coupled with the output. A dust collection system 20 is coupled with the housing 12. Also, a plurality of gripping members 22, 24, and 26 are coupled with the housing. An AC power cord 28 is coupled with the housing to provide power to the motor 14. Also, an activation member 30 is coupled with the housing to energize and de-energize the motor 14, in turn, the output 16 which, in turn, rotates the sanding element 18.

The housing 12 defines an axis 13 and is normally used in a vertical orientation. The housing 12 includes a cylindrical portion 32 and a truncated conical portion 34 positioned on axis 13. The truncated conical portion 34 at its end includes a skirt 36. The skirt 36 provides durability and protects the work surface while sanding.

Gripping member 22 is positioned at the intersection of the cylindrical portion 32 and the truncated conical portion 34. The gripping member 22 includes an annular portion 40 and a tail 42. The annular portion 40 surrounds the housing providing a 360 degree grip on the housing. The annular portion 40 is positioned at the other end of the truncated conical portion 34 wherein it intersects the cylindrical portion 32. The tail portion 42 extends from the annular portion towards the skirt 36. The gripping member 22 is an elastomeric member and may be over molded onto the housing 12. The elastomeric member provides a comfortable grip as well as increased feel to the user.

The other end of the housing 12 includes gripping portion 24. The extending end of the cylindrical portion 32 has a teardrop shaped head 44 with the gripping member 24 positioned on top of the head 44. The gripping member 24 has a teardrop shape and is formed from a gel material. Thus, the gel provides a top surface to absorb vibration of the sander to increase the duration of use by the user without fatigue.

The gripping member 26 is a handle spaced from the housing 12. The gripping member 26 runs substantially parallel to the housing 12. The gripping member 26 has a vertical orientation enabling the user to grip gripping member 26 to provide a different orientation for the user's hands. The gripping orientations are illustrated in FIGS. 2 a-2 e. Also, the user may use two hands when gripping the gripping handle 26 with another one of the gripping members 22 or 24.

The gripping member 26 is ordinarily formed with the housing 12 to provide a clamshell type of housing member. The gripping member 26 includes gripping surface 46 and 48 on each of its side. The gripping surfaces 46 and 48 are like gripping member 22 made of an elastomeric material to provide comfort and feel to the user.

During operation, a user may grip the orbital sander at gripping member 22, 24 or 26. This allows the user to vary his hand positions to reduce fatigue during prolonged operation. Also, the user may use a plurality of the gripping members at one time. The user may use grips 22 and 26, 24 and 26, or 22 and 24 at one time to add increased control to the sander during operation.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A orbital sander comprising: a housing, said housing defining an axis, a motor in said housing; an output member coupled with said motor, said output along said axis in said housing, said output member for receiving a sanding element; a handle spaced from said housing, said handle having an overall parallel orientation to said axis.
 2. The orbital sander according to claim 1, wherein said housing has an axially aligned cylindrical portion and truncated conical portion adjacent said cylindrical portion and a gripping member positioned at the intersection of said cylindrical portion and said truncated conical portion.
 3. The orbital sander according to claim 1, wherein a gripping member surrounding a portion of said housing.
 4. The orbital sander according to claim 1, wherein a gripping member is positioned on an end of said housing opposing said output.
 5. The orbital sander according to claim 3, wherein a gripping member is positioned on an end of said housing opposing said output.
 6. The orbital sander according to claim 4, wherein said gripping member includes a gel portion.
 7. The orbital sander according to claim 3, wherein said gripping member being an elastomeric member providing a comfortable surface increasing feel.
 8. An orbital sander comprising: a housing, said housing defining an axis with a pair of ends; a motor positioned along said axis in said housing; an output coupled with said motor for driving a sanding element; a power source coupled with said motor; an activation member coupled with said motor and said power source for energizing and de-energizing said motor which, in turn, drives said output; and a gripping member surrounding said housing, said gripping member positioned between said ends of said housing.
 9. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said gripping member being an elastomeric member providing comfort and feel.
 10. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said gripping member being a continuous 360° around said housing.
 11. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said gripping member having an annular portion and an extending tail portion.
 12. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said housing having a cylindrical portion and a truncated conical portion with said gripping member at an intersection of said cylindrical and truncated conical portions.
 13. The sander according to claim 12, wherein said gripping member is positioned on said truncated conical portion.
 14. An orbital sander comprising: a housing, said housing defining an axis with a pair of ends; a motor positioned along said axis in said housing; an output coupled with said motor for driving a sanding element; a power source coupled with said motor; an activation member coupled with said motor and said power source for energizing and de-energizing said motor which, in turn, drives said output; and a plurality of gripping members coupled with said housing, at least one gripping member spaced from and positioned substantially parallel to said housing axis.
 15. The sander according to claim 14, wherein said one of said gripping members being a handle.
 16. The sander according to claim 15, wherein the others of said gripping members being on said housing.
 17. The orbital sander according to claim 14, wherein a gripping member surrounding a portion of said housing.
 18. The orbital sander according to claim 14, wherein a gripping member is positioned on an end of said housing opposing said output. 